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UNEP/GRID-Arendal | Annual Report 2001
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Section 2 | GRID-Arendal in review
Polar bear footprints in Hiorthamn, Adventfjorden on Spitsbergen/Svalbard.
The findings in the GLOBIO project reveal that within 50
years, more than half of the Arctic land area may be
impacted by human activities. This will most likely result in
a substantial increase in environmental problems affecting
habitats, biodiversity, food production, fresh water
resources and health.
Arctic project development
We support Arctic collaboration through the development
of Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects. These
projects forge international co-operation and finance
actions that address biodiversity loss, climate change and
international waters. One such project is the Integrated
Ecosystem Approach to Conserve Biodiversity and
Minimise Habitat Fragmentation in the Russian Arctic
(ECORA). The aim of the project is to develop and
implement integrated ecosystem management strategies in
the Arctic. This project is developed in co-operation with
the Russian Federation and the Arctic Council's working
group on Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF).
A new proposal focusing on climate change effects on
biodiversity in the Russian Arctic and adapting to these
changes is being developed in co-operation with the Arctic
Council Working Group on the Arctic Climate Impact
Assessment (ACIA) and the Russian Federation and
Academy of sciences.
Photo
Reidar Hindrum